Minimal Waste Refrigerant Delivery Device

ABSTRACT

A minimal waste refrigerant delivery device for delivering refrigerant to a vehicle&#39;s air conditioning system. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device has a first end adapted to attach to a cannister of refrigerant and a second end adapted to be releasably coupled directly to the vehicle&#39;s air conditioning system charging port. A pressure measuring gauge is provided for measuring the pressure of the vehicle&#39;s air conditioning system when connected to the vehicle&#39;s charging port. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device is specifically adapted to be coupled directly to the vehicle&#39;s servicing port thereby eliminating the need for a hose and minimizing the amount of refrigerant that is wasted when disconnecting the device from the vehicle&#39;s charging port. A valve actuator is provided to selectively allow or inhibit flow of refrigerant from the pressurized refrigerant container through the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device to the vehicle&#39;s charging system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/772,832, filed on Nov. 29, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a device for delivering a refrigerant into an air conditioning system. More particularly, it relates to a device for delivering a refrigerant into the air conditioning system of a vehicle and that is adapted to be used without a hose so as to reduce the amount of refrigerant that is vented to the atmosphere during the steps of connecting and disconnecting the device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of vehicles, such as, but not limited to automobiles, cars, trucks, and other types of motorized vehicles, it is known that that an air conditioning system removes humidity from, and cools, ambient air within the vehicle's cabin. As is known by those skilled in the art, the air conditioning systems in vehicles utilize various refrigerants such as R-12. R-12, and related refrigerants, have been made commercially available and sold under the trademark Freon®. In recent years other refrigerants such as R-134A, and other known state-of-the-art refrigerants, such as R-1234yf have been used. Those skilled in the art will recognize that R-1234yf is replacing R-134A. It is known in the art that R-1234yf is flammable; and while the toxicity of R-1234yf is being debated, it is known that various of the gases formed by combustion of R-1234yf are toxic. Further, other refrigerants, such as various mixtures of propane and butane have been formulated to replace refrigerants such as R-12 and R-134A due to the harmful effects of these refrigerants on the atmosphere. U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,333, issued to Gary Lindgren on Jan. 8, 2002, claims such an alternate refrigerant as a substitute for R-12. Also, it will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art that a state-of-the-art vehicle air conditioning system requires periodic maintenance in regard to replenishing the amount of refrigerant within the system. Replenishing the amount of refrigerant within the vehicle's air conditioning system requires connecting a supply of refrigerant to the vehicle's low-pressure a/c port. This process can easily be performed by the owner of the vehicle; and, increasingly, commercial, public auto parts stores sell canisters of refrigerant and various devices for connecting the cannister of refrigerant to the low-pressure a/c port to recharge the system. For instance, US Published Patent Application 2016/0290695, by B I et al, teaches a trigger-actuated device for adding refrigerant into the vehicle's low-pressure a/c port. B I's device includes a pressure gauge to allow users to read the pressure of the vehicle's air conditioning system.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,359,220 and published US Patent Application No. 2008/0022701A1, both by Carrubba, disclose systems, methods and apparatuses for servicing a vehicle's refrigeration system. Carrubba's systems may include a fluid source, a device capable of coupling the fluid source to the vehicle's A/C system, and a gauge for measuring the pressure of the vehicle's A/C system. Carrubba's devices each include a valve mechanism for selectively actuating or inhibiting fluid flow between the fluid source and the fluid receiving system.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, refrigerants such as R-12 and R-134A are intended to be charged into a vehicle's A/C system in the gaseous phase rather than as a liquid. This requires the cannister of the refrigerant to be held in an upright position. Accordingly, a hose is required to connect the cannister of refrigerant to the vehicle's A/C charging port. Further, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art, that, when the hose is disconnected from the vehicle's charge port, or when the hose is disconnected from the refrigerant cannister, a portion of refrigerant, approximately the volume of the hose, is discharged to the atmosphere. Not only is this wasteful, it also has a detrimental impact on the atmosphere. And, in the case of refrigerants such as R-1234yf, waste has an economic impact as R-1234yf is known to be significantly more expensive than refrigerants such as R-134A.

What is missing from the art is a minimal waste refrigerant delivery device that is adapted to be secured to a cannister of refrigerant and to also be secured directly, without an intervening hose, to the recharge port of the vehicle's A/C system. What is further missing from the art is the combination of such a minimal waste refrigerant delivery device that is adapted to be used with a cannister containing an alternate refrigerant that can be discharged into the vehicle's A/C system in the liquid phase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of the present invention has a first end adapted to be attached to a cannister of refrigerant for a vehicle A/C system. A second end of the device is adapted as a quick disconnect fitting to connect the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device directly to the vehicle's charging port without the need for an intervening hose. Further, the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device is adapted to have a gauge for measuring the pressure of the vehicle's A/C system when connected to the vehicle's charging port. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of the present invention is specifically adapted to be used without a hose thereby minimizing the amount of refrigerant that is vented to the atmosphere when disconnecting the device from the vehicle's charging port. Further, a valve actuator is provided so as to selectively allow or inhibit flow of refrigerant from the refrigerant container through the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device to the vehicle's charging system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a close up perspective view of an exemplary mechanism for actuating a gate valve on a refrigerant supply cannister;

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the valve body of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device as illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the valve body of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device as illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the valve body of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device as illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 is a top side elevation view of the valve body of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device as illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation view of the valve body of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device as illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the valve body of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device as illustrated in FIG. 1A in use with a vehicle; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a minimal waste refrigerant delivery device 10. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device 10 of the present invention is particularly useful for charging a vehicle air conditioning system with a refrigerant that is particularly suited for being discharged into a vehicle's air conditioning system in a liquid state. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that while the present invention is described herein as being used for recharging a vehicle's air conditioning system, the present invention also has utility and can be used for recharging the cooling system on appliances, such as wine coolers, refrigerators, and freezers. Further, the present invention could also be utilized to recharge the air conditioning system used in houses, apartments, and other buildings. In the present invention, the minimal waste refrigerant delivery device 10 of the present invention is utilized with a pressurized refrigerant supply cannister 15. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister 15 is adapted for containing a refrigerant that can be discharged into a vehicle air conditioning system in a liquid state and has a discharge port 25. In one exemplary embodiment, the discharge port 25 of the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister 15 is defined by an externally threaded cylindrical outlet and has a seal that is adapted to be punctured in order to allow discharge of the refrigerant. In a further, preferred, exemplary embodiment, the discharge port 25 of the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister includes a self-sealing valve that includes a spring-loaded gating device that is depressed to open and released to close the valve of the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister 15. This gating device is depressed and actuated by pin 95 which is carried by delivery device 10.

Further, minimal waste refrigerant delivery device 10 includes a valve body 35 having an internal bore 65 and a first fluid port 20 adapted to be releasably coupled to the discharge port 25 of the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister 15. In an exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in the figures, pin 95 is centrally disposed within first fluid port 20. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, first fluid port 20 includes a check valve for preventing refrigerant within the valve body 35 from venting to the atmosphere when first fluid port 20 is disconnected from supply cannister 15.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first fluid port 20 is in fluid communication with the internal bore 65. The valve body 35 also has a second fluid port 30 that is adapted to be releasably coupled directly, via a quick connect coupling 85 to a service port of a vehicle's air conditioning system. Quick connect coupling 85 in an exemplary embodiment is any commonly available flush-face type quick action coupling, such as the quick couplings that are compliant with ISO 16028. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other similar quick connect couplings could also be used and that compliance with ISO 16028 is not required to be within the scope of the present invention.

Direct coupling of the valve body 35 to the service port 100 of a vehicle's air conditioning system eliminates the need for a hose. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, elimination of the hose reduces the amount of refrigerant that is wasted by being discharged to the atmosphere when the device is disconnected from either the supply cannister or the vehicle service port. In this regard, and as described above with regard to first fluid port 20, second fluid port 30 also includes a check valve for preventing refrigerant within the valve body 35 from venting to the atmosphere when the quick connect coupling 85 of second fluid port 30 is disconnected from service port 100. Thus, it will be appreciated that delivery device 10 is adapted, by means of the described check valves, to prevent refrigerant contained within valve body 35 from being vented to the atmosphere when the valve body 35 is disconnected from either the service port 100 or the supply cannister 15.

The second fluid port 30 is in fluid communication with the internal bore 65. Further, as will be explained in greater detail below, the first fluid port 20 and the second fluid port 30 are selectively in fluid communication with one another. The valve body 10 also has a third fluid port 45 in fluid communication with second fluid port 30 via an auxiliary bore 60. A pressure-measuring gauge 40 is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with the third port 45. In an exemplary embodiment pressure-measuring gauge 40 is in fluid communication with second fluid port 30 such that a user can test the pressure of the vehicle's air conditioning system prior to opening valve actuator 50.

A valve 75 is disposed and operative within the internal bore 65 for selectively preventing fluid communication between the first fluid port 20 and the second fluid port 30. Valve 75 could be any number of different types of valves. For example, valve 75 could be a gate valve, a plug valve, as illustrated in a partially open position, or could be a ball valve. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other valves that could be used and there is no intention to limit the present invention to a plug valve, ball valve, or a gate valve. Irrespective of the actual configuration of the valve 75. A valve actuator 50 is carried by the valve body 35 and is operative coupled to valve 75 in order to open and close valve 75. In the illustrated embodiment, valve 75 is a rotary valve. However, a linear valve, such as a trigger operated valve as illustrated in FIG. 8, could also be utilized.

In use, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first fluid port 20 of valve body 35 is releasably coupled to the discharge port 25 of the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister 15. The valve body 35 is then directly coupled to the vehicle's air conditioning system service port, via a quick connect coupling 85. Pressure gauge 40 will be in fluid communication with the vehicle's air conditioning system, via internal bores 60 and 65 and will be able to gauge the pressure of the vehicle's air conditioning system. If additional refrigerant is needed, the valve actuator 50 can be actuated to allow a selected quantity of refrigerant into the vehicle's air conditioning system. As stated above, the direct coupling of the valve body 35 to the service port of a vehicle's air conditioning system eliminates the need for a hose thereby significantly reducing the amount of refrigerant that is vented to the atmosphere when the valve body 35 is decoupled from either the discharge port 25 of the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister or the vehicles air conditioning service port.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A minimal waste refrigerant delivery device for charging an air conditioning system with refrigerant, said minimal waste refrigerant delivery device comprising: a valve body having an internal bore and a first fluid port adapted to be releasably coupled to a discharge port of a pressurized refrigerant supply cannister wherein said first fluid port is in fluid communication with said internal bore, said valve body further having a second fluid port adapted to be releasably coupled directly to a service port of said air conditioning system, wherein said second fluid port is in fluid communication with said internal bore, wherein said first fluid port and said second fluid port are selectively in fluid communication with one another, said valve body further having a third fluid port in fluid communication with said second fluid port; a valve disposed within said internal bore for selectively preventing fluid communication between said first fluid port and said second fluid port; a pressure-measuring gauge operatively connected to said third fluid port; and a valve actuator carried by said valve body for actuating said valve.
 2. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 1 wherein said discharge port of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister is defined by an externally threaded cylindrical outlet.
 3. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 2 wherein said discharge port of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister is adapted to be punctured.
 4. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 2 wherein said discharge port of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister includes a self-sealing valve.
 5. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 4 wherein said self-sealing valve of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister includes a spring-loaded gating device that is depressed to open and close the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister.
 6. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 1 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a gate valve.
 7. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 1 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a plug valve.
 8. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 1 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a ball valve.
 9. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 1 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is selected from a group consisting of a gate valve, a plug valve or a ball valve.
 10. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 1 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a trigger-trigger actuated linear valve.
 11. A minimal waste refrigerant delivery device for charging an air conditioning system with refrigerant, said minimal waste refrigerant delivery device comprising: a pressurized refrigerant supply cannister adapted for containing a refrigerant that can be discharged into an air conditioning system in a liquid state, said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister having a discharge port; a valve body having an internal bore and a first fluid port adapted to be releasably coupled to said discharge port of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister wherein said first fluid port is in fluid communication with said internal bore, said valve body further having a second fluid port adapted to be releasably coupled directly to a service port of said air conditioning system, wherein said second fluid port is in fluid communication with said internal bore, wherein said first fluid port and said second fluid port are selectively in fluid communication with one another, said valve body further having a third fluid port in fluid communication with said second fluid port; a valve disposed within said internal bore for selectively preventing fluid communication between said first fluid port and said second fluid port; a pressure-measuring gauge operatively connected to said third fluid port; and a valve actuator carried by said valve body for actuating said valve.
 12. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 11 wherein said discharge port of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister is defined by an externally threaded cylindrical outlet.
 13. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 12 wherein said discharge port of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister is adapted to be punctured.
 14. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 12 wherein said discharge port of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister includes a self-sealing valve.
 15. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 12 wherein said self-sealing valve of said pressurized refrigerant supply cannister includes a spring-loaded gating device that is depressed to open and close the pressurized refrigerant supply cannister.
 16. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 11 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a gate valve.
 17. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 11 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a plug valve.
 18. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 11 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a ball valve.
 19. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 11 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is selected from a group consisting of a gate valve, a plug valve or a ball valve.
 20. The minimal waste refrigerant delivery device of claim 11 wherein said valve disposed within said internal bore is a trigger-actuated linear valve. 